The first application of the Baylis–Hillman reaction in azetidine chemistry: a convenient synthesis of azetidine-3-carbonitriles/carboxylates

The first application of Baylis–Hillman adducts in the synthesis of azetidines is reported. The synthesis involves a one-pot, high yielding and highly diastereoselective annulation of unmodified Baylis–Hillman adducts with N-arylphosphoramidates to afford 1,2-disubstituted azetidine-3-carbonitriles/carboxylates, which are the precursors of biologically versatile azetidine-3-carboxylic acids.